"The dangers of drinking mouthwash include gastrointestinal upset, oral burns, and alcohol poisoning. Mouthwash is used to eliminate bacteria and odors from the mouth and is typically gargled or swished around the mouth before the user spits it out. Many mouthwashes are high in alcohol content and certain brands contain hydrogen peroxide and wood alcohol, which is also known as methyl alcohol. If consumed in certain amounts, methyl alcohol can cause organ damage and blindness.
Drinking mouthwash can also cause severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This can cause extreme dehydration and may require hospitalization for intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement. In addition, since certain mouthwash brands contain hydrogen peroxide, consuming mouthwash can cause burns and scarring of the throat and mouth. The chemicals in mouthwash are acidic in nature and have been known to cause irritation and tissue damage.
A severe consequence of drinking mouthwash is losing consciousness. Since many mouthwashes are high in alcohol content, drinking mouthwash can cause profound sleepiness, which may progress to unconsciousness in extreme situations. Other hazards of consuming mouthwash include low blood pressure, breathing difficulties, and rapid heart beat. Signs of mouthwash overdose can mimic those of intoxication and may include slurred speech, difficulty walking, and delayed reflexes." (link:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-dangers-of-drinking-mouthwash.htm )
Chava, I think I would refute, "I can't access rage safely unless I'm drunk". If you're alcoholic and are in lapse or relapse... that is not safe. Not at all. Very glad you emailed a peer. The contortions that we who are alcoholic go through... "it was better than getting in my car and driving" or like you shared, "but once in a while I've done that when I ran out of alcohol and local stores are closed, or somehow even though I'm out of my mind I know not to drive out for more. I just used a little bit to finish the job."
One of my peers actually used similar logic and was drinking perfume. We had a homeless man, a mouthwash drinker in the group... to her own "best" thinking... at least she wasn't drinking mouthwash. :O_o:
Please get back into recovery and get a grip on this.